Rs.20 Crores for temples reconstruction, destroyed by Portuguese in Goa, which never existed.
All of the prominent temples destroyed, already rebuilt and reconstructed, some even during 16th, 18th and 19th Century. Portuguese did not destroy Tambdi Surla.
The good question to ask is that,when the Government of Goa was so gung-ho on reconstruction of the temples destroyed by Portuguese, why the Archeology Deptt has yet to come up with a list?
While 19 applications have been supposed to be received from NGOs and others, even the name of those temples/applicants have not been made public.
Ironically, the Department of Archives and Archaeology of Goa, is the oldest archive and archaeology department in India, having been established on 25th February, 1595 by the famous Historian Diogo do Couto. Mr.Couto was also its first Records Keeper, the Archives was named as “Torre do Tombo do Estado da India”. The oldest Portuguese record is of the year 1498.
Is not it surprising that oldest Archives and Archeology Deptt of the country, cannot still come up with the list of temples of destroyed in the Portuguese era?
While going through some Historical data, it has been observed that, most of the prominent temples destroyed during Portuguese era, have been already rebuilt and reconstructed.Some of them, were rebuilt even during 16th and 18th Century itself. Some in 19th Century.
Following famous temples destroyed during Portuguese era are already rebuilt :
1. Shri Mangeshi Temple: Located in Priol, Ponda, Shri Mangeshi Temple is one of the largest and most famous temples in Goa. It faced significant damage during the Portuguese rule, with the original temple being demolished. It was later rebuilt in the 19th century.
2. Shri Ramnath Temple: Situated in Ramnathi village, Ponda, Shri Ramnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. The original temple was destroyed by the Portuguese, and the present structure was reconstructed in the 18th century.
3. Shri Shantadurga Temple: Located in Kavalem village, Ponda, Shri Shantadurga Temple is dedicated to the goddess Shantadurga. The original temple was demolished, and the current structure was rebuilt in the 18th century.
4. Shri Nagesh Temple: Situated in Bandora, Ponda, Shri Nagesh Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule but was reconstructed in the 18th century.
5. Shri Damodar Temple: Located in Zambaulim, Shri Damodar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The original temple was destroyed by the Portuguese, and the present structure was rebuilt later.
6. Shri Chandreshwar Temple: Situated in Quepem, Shri Chandreshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was destroyed by the Portuguese, and the present structure was rebuilt later.
7. Shri Devaki Krishna Ravalnath Temple: Located in Marcel, Ponda, this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule and was later reconstructed.
8. Shri Mahalsa Temple: Situated in Mardol, Ponda, Shri Mahalsa Temple is dedicated to the goddess Mahalasa. The original temple was destroyed, and the current structure was rebuilt in the 16th century.
9. Shri Kamakshi Temple: Located in Shiroda, Ponda, Shri Kamakshi Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi. The original temple was destroyed, and the present structure was rebuilt in the 16th century.
10. Shri Mallikarjuna Temple: Situated in Canacona, Shri Mallikarjuna Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule and was later reconstructed.
11. Shri Bhagavati Temple: Located in Parshuram, Shri Bhagavati Temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagavati. It was destroyed by the Portuguese, and the present structure was rebuilt later.
12. Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple: Situated in Narve, Bicholim, Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule and was later reconstructed.
13. Shri Mahadev Temple: Located in Veling, Ponda, Shri Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule and was later rebuilt.
14. Shri Datta Mandir: Situated in Dattawadi, Ponda, Shri Datta Mandir is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya. It suffered damage during the Portuguese rule, but efforts were made to restore and preserve the structure.
15. Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple: Situated in Sancoale, Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple is dedicated to the goddess Durga. The original temple was damaged during the Portuguese rule, but it was restored and renovated in later years.
16. Shri Vithal Mandir: Located in Sanquelim, Shri Vithal Mandir is dedicated to Lord Vithoba. It suffered damage during the Portuguese rule, but efforts were made for its reconstruction and restoration.
17. Shri Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Temple: Situated in Fatorpa, Shri Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Temple is dedicated to the goddess Shantadurga. It was damaged during the Portuguese rule, and efforts were made for its restoration.
18. Shri Lakshminarasimha Temple: Located in Veling, Ponda, Shri Lakshminarasimha Temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshminarasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule and was later rebuilt.
19. Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple: Located in Assagao, Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule and was later reconstructed.
20. Shri Navdurga Temple: Situated in Madkai, Ponda, Shri Navdurga Temple is dedicated to the goddess Navdurga. It faced destruction and damage during the Portuguese rule but was reconstructed later.
21. Shri Bhagavati Temple: Located in Paroda, Quepem, Shri Bhagavati Temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhagavati. It suffered destruction during the Portuguese rule but was restored and is now an important religious site.
22. Shri Mahalaxmi Temple: Located in Bandivade, Ponda, Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is dedicated to the goddess Mahalaxmi. It suffered damage during the Portuguese rule but was reconstructed and is now a revered temple.
23. Shri Kalikadevi Temple: Situated in Kansarpal, Ponda, Shri Kalikadevi Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule but was restored and is now an important religious site.
24. Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple: Located in Narve, Bicholim, Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It faced destruction during the Portuguese rule but was reconstructed and is now a significant religious site.
25. Shri Kalika Temple, Kavlem, Ponda: This temple dedicated to Goddess Kalika was affected during the Portuguese era. It has been renovated and is now an important religious site.
While, The most ancient temple in the state of Goa, India; the Mahadeva Temple, also known as Tambdi Surla Temple escaped the destruction from Portuguese.
It is located in the village of Tambdi Surla in the Sanguem taluka of Goa.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its intricate stone carvings and architectural style.
it is believed to have been built in the 12th century during the reign of the Kadamba dynasty.
The exact details of who built the temple are not certain, but it is attributed to the Kadamba rulers who were known to have patronized the construction of temples in Goa during that period.
Also, one of the temples destroyed during Portuguese era, Shri Kalikadevi Temple is situated in Kankavli, Sindhudurg.Shri Kalikadevi Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali. It suffered damage during the Portuguese rule but was later restored and continues to be a place of worship.
In one of the reports, CM Sawant aims to be planning a memorial of "1000 temples and shrines destroyed during Portuguese era".
While, it is questionable that even in today's era, do Goa has 1000 temples and Hindu shrines, when the population of Goa is humongous large?
If the Chief Minster of Goa, Pramod Sawant had been so confident of 1,000 temples destroyed by Portuguese, was that based on facts received from the Archaeology Department of Goa; or just an empty verbal rhetoric in order to entice emotions of illiterate citizens of Goa?
And, if it was based on fact, why did the Archaeology department granted an extension to the select committee till 31st December 2023; almost 18 months, to come up with a name? When the department is the oldest in the country?